Men: Spring/Summer 2010 Collections’ Summary October 31, 2009

Band of Outsiders S/S 2010

Dear chaps:

Trends come and go, but this coming spring/summer you are in for serious elegance, much to the delight to all the rest of us – female population that is. Slim, lean, straight and 3 buttons is what you need to have on the brain when buying your next suit. Think of the nouvelle vague and the swinging 60s in a palette of white, soft yellow, grey, brown, tan, charcoal and cobalt blue. All this can be teamed with simple, understated and monochromatic Ts, stripy shirts, a nautical top or a soft summer sweater. For the younger crowd an 80s inspired suit is also suitable and if you must you can still wear your ribbed jeans.

These were my favourite collections:

• Philip Lim: 80’s inspired, high-waist trousers. Think David Bowie in a suit.
• Michael Bastian: lean and trim shapes, 3 buttoned suits. A new way to wear your buttoned down long sleeve striped shirt is with chocolate brown long shorts. The designer also pays a tribute to the trilby hat. He also pairs nautical stripes with military pants. Preppy college boy meets rocker.
• Band of Outsiders: 60s inspired 3-buttoned suits, paired with classic white Ts and sneakers. Good for any age and you can’t go wrong. The Prada suits were also designed with the same philosophy.
• The ripped jean trend is still full on as the D&G collection demonstrated. I am not a fan unless you are a young, ribbed fellow in your 20s.
• Lovely 3 piece suits from Simon Spur, which bring up memories of the London swinging 60s, in all shades of cobalt blue and sand.
• Great shoes and accessories in the Bottega Venneta range which promise to brighten up muted beiges and grey outfits.
• Hermès delivered the understated posh-ness which the House is famous for, and which is so in tune with the new way of dressing luxuriously. The same principal goes for the Missoni collection, which mainly consists from relaxed suits paired with the famous knits. All you need to complement your outfit is a yacht.

To check out the collections go to: www.gq.com

Men: What to Wear, summer 2009 July 21, 2009

We are well into summer, but still have almost  1.5 good months of summer wear. A pair of shorts and a tee is a uniform that theoretically will get you through the warm summer days or a beach vacation but it is the details that will set you apart from the rest. Check out this list and update your wardrobe accordingly:

Shorts from Urban Outfitters

Shorts:
There are different types for different purposes so be clear to the store assistant what type of shorts you need. If you are tall and slim you can wear longer shorts, even under the knee length. If you are not tall, opt for something which stops just above the knee – like the ones featured here. If you have great legs you can wear something shorter. I don’t want to see anything tight, ball hugging or super low-waisted. I will send the Fashion Police to arrest you.

Shirt from Gap

T-shirts / Summer Shirts:
There is a tee and a shirt for everyone out there. If you are in your twenties and thirties you can knock your self out and wear crazy tees of all sorts as these are for your age group. Please avoid anything really offensive, as it is only tacky.

For the 40-early 50s age group, opt for monochromatic designs and polos, which can look really cool if you pair them with a checked shirt sleeved unbuttoned shirt.  If you’re older than 55, a linen and loose white shirt will do miracles. Trust me. You can also pair it with shorts.

Suit from Zara

Suits
Linen is the King of fabric for summer suits. Dress it up with a smart shirt, tie and loafers, or down with a T-shirt and flip-flops. I suggest summery hues like beige, sand, cool grey and look for a cut that flatters your shape and age. A nice suit is a must for one’s wardrobe, so if you need to pay a little bit extra go for it. If you can’t afford it though choose something classic from places like Zara, pair it with expensive shoes and you’ll look the part.

Happy summer, X

2009 dressing: Men’s Summer Trousers June 4, 2009

French Connection

Oaksonline

When it comes to men’s trousers I absolutely love navy, blue or beige/white shades for summer dressing. The cut this year is straight and a bit narrow, or a loose fit. Choose what looks good on you and flatters your body. The pants need to come just under your belly button. Too low and you’ll look juvenile, too high and you’ll in grandpa territory.

This is how you can wear them:
• Smart-casual: paired them with dressy shirts and ties.
• Cool chic: You can wear them with a polo or a print T-shirt, a vest and a Havana hat.

As far as accessories are concerned:
• Dressed them up with smart shoes and a matching belt – black, grey or tan recommended.
• Dress them down with  like espadrilles or walking sneakers.

There. Summer time and the dressing is easy…

Reiss

Spring Jackets for Men April 10, 2009

Deconstructed Navy Jacket from NEXT

This spring snap up! A spring jacket that is. There different styles out there, but I suggest that you get something quite neutral and versatile. Dress it up with smarter trousers and a nice crisp shirt & tie, or down with jeans, a polo or a more casual top. Washed leathers, deconstructed or bit military designs are a safe bet to elegance with a contemporary twist. How refreshing!

North Coast at M&S

Calvin Klein Jacket

Stocking Fillers December 15, 2008

With the holidays around the corner and everyone talking about the credit crunch, shopping for gifts needs to be done in a smarter way this year. Figure out your budget, and go for unique things that your special one loves but doesn’t buy for him/herself on a regular basis. Some ideas to get you going:

LaSenza Anthropologie Office

For Girls:
- Show me a girl that doesn’t like getting new undies for a present? Sexy or not depends on your mood and the gal you’re shopping for. La Senza has a special offer 12 pounds for 5 knickers. Stocking all full!
- A funky necklace, spices up every top or bare neck and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Check the jewels section at Anthropologie for inspiration. Monsoon has some lovely pieces this season too.
- Sexy heels. Yes, go on and buy her a pair to match her party frock and she’ll dance the night away and think of you. If you get her a lacy pair she’ll be in bliss.

Ted Baker Topman Harrods

For Boys:
- A new fresh T. No guy can have enough of those. Check out Ted Baker if preppy is your guy’s thing, or All Saints if you want to go down the more rock-n-roll road.
- A hat. I love this trilby by Topman. So cool…
- Something to keep him warm but which also looks amazing. Like these silk lined leather gloves from Harrods. This will just spoil him rotten.

Happy holidays!

It is all about the Blazer October 24, 2008

All Saints

When it comes to men’s fashion what I am all for the guy I am dressing, is that he looks smart but also feels comfortable. That’s why I LOVE blazers so much. The perfect blazer is casual but always has tailoring details & looks good with either dressier trousers or jeans/corduroys. A blazer jacket can get you a long way, and it should be on your essentials list if you want your wardrobe to work and be cool.

When buying a new blazer this fall look for something that works on your body – don’t do a slim fitting style if your mid-section looks like the belly of a 6-month pregnant woman for example. Choose a color that works with the stuff you already own and pay attention to the details: tailoring, lining, buttons, and how flattering the lapels are on YOU.

If the look you’re after is smart casual, pair your blazer with jeans and a polo shirt – like this idea from NEXT. If you prefer a more rock-n-roll look get something sleeker in black or charcoal (i.e. All Saints blazer) and paired it with a vintage type shirt, a vest and black pants. If you are the posh type and you want your blazer to take you straight from the board room to your country home, get something like this one from Paul Smith.

Choose something that suits your body and life-style, & it will be your go-to item for many occasions this fall/winter. Wanna bet?

Paul Smith

NEXT

Cool Pants April 13, 2008

Larkee jeans/Diesel    Paid/UrbanOutfitters     

Cool guys who want don’t want to wear jeans all the time, have some wonderful options this spring/summer season. Welcome to the new crop of cool pants!

Here are some tips when you are shopping for your new cool pair.
The new pant is…:
- Colorful & funky: if you like jeans, and want a bit of an edge try some colored jeans. I really like stuff from Diesel and 7 for All Mankind. Start from green or grey hues, like the Diesel jeans featured here, and then you can move to something organic, white and cotton.
- Plaid: this is a cross between 50s cool with a 2008 edge and you have to have a nice figure. A beer belly and this kind of style does not work. I mean this. But, if you have the bod, check out urban outfitters for styles similar to what we are showing here.
- The New Cargo: the new cargo pant has shape, the material is soft and the color is dark blue, grey black or mocha my favorire. John Varvatos has the best.
- Cotton, pistripe & stretch: this is another style which reminds me of the French Riviera of the 1960s. Pair them with a white linen shirt and aviators and you’ll be the coolest on the block.

FORGET:
- Chinos: it is so last year. Don’t even think about them anymore
- Corduroys: they are cool for fall and early spring, but as soon as the temperature rises above 60 degrees, they automatically look heavy and warm. Not a good option for summer unless you live in Canada or Vermont or you’re re-living the Woodstock era.

Happy Spring!

Pinstripe/Theory                                 Cargo/John Varvatos

Men’s Fashion Fall/Winter 2008-9/ Paris Collections January 26, 2008

We are still in the beginning of 2008, yet designers are already showing next year’s fashion trends. Handy if you are on the lookout for a bargain which you can enjoy this and next year. There were some nice things, but some inexplicable tasteless collections too, i.e. Ann Demeulemeester and Ungaro. Why guys? Why are you designing things that will just make people look ridiculous when they wear them? Check out the Paris Collections.

Also, I was surprised to see the Raf Simons collection, full of anorexic, yes anorexic!! male models wearing gigantic shoes and Star Trek inspired tops! I like a man who takes risks when dressing, but this is just ridiculous.

But it was’t all that bad. For example:

Miharayasuhiro
- The suits were my favorite part in this collection; a classic slim fit. I also liked their biker jackets, which was a nice cross between old school, preppy and 60s rock-n-roll. The down vests were also amazing.

Viktor & Rolf
- The collection featured some fantastic 3 piece suits with leather detailing. Also, the more classical suits in muted tones were good.

Trends that everybody can follow:
- Hats: top hats, newsboy caps, beanie caps, knit hats, skullies, ivy caps, fur hats, anything goes. If in doubt wear a hat and consider yourself dressed.
- Knits worn under jackets: do remember to wear your knits under your suit jacket. Tres elegant and 2008/9. Fitted knits that is.

A weekend Upstate NY: a guy’s essentials October 27, 2007

Johnston & Murphy blutcher boots

It is mid autumn now, and winter is round the corner. Good times for getting together with friends, log fires, walks in the woods upstate NY, preparing a beef bourguignonne for a beloved one and curling up with a nice glass of red and a good book. Are you ready for all of this? Let’s take a look at your closet and make sure you have all the essentials in there.

- Walking boots: Get a nice pair of classic blucher ankle boots. Casual, and far more stylish than your average boot on high street stores.
- A nice warm coat, which doubles as a city coat too. Check out Burlington Factory and www.oaknyc.com
- Cordroys in an auturm pallete: browns, dark or olive greens, greys and throw a brick one if you crave a funkier version. Tons of versions at J. Crew.
- A fisherman’s sweater. Check out S.N.S. Herning, available at www.oaknyc.com . They’re great, warm yet stylish

Happy Fall!

NYC FASHION WEEK-SPRING 08- MEN READY TO WEAR September 10, 2007

Men’s fashion for spring 08 equals effortless style: your outfit should take you from the beach to the city and then back to the sand dunes. However, all this is done with style, no slouchy, ragged pants or anything boho or unkept. Finally, it seems that khaki cutoffs + T-shirt combo is a look of the past. Thank heavens. Lots of tennis-type shorts paired with sleek tops and jackets, neutrals, white & black, and a smart pinstripe suit will give a breath of fresh air to any wardrobe. Also look out for colored denim paired with charcoal and black jackets and a white shirt, very cool. Check out the men’s collections here.

Michael Bastian

Everything looked relaxed in this collection, from blazers to jackets to karate pants. However, the materials used were luxurious; a lot of linen and luxe cashmere, made those simple designs simply wonderful. This was one of my favorite collections so far.

Perry Ellis

There were some key items in this collection, which truly would help a somewhat dull summer wardrobe get some funk. I loved the linen cargo shorts and colorful nylon jackets in warm summer colors. The pinstriped jeans are a must-have.

Tony Mellilo

This collection celebrates one of the most basic rules that every fashionista follows: pairing classic basics with a couple of fun touches. Colors are either neutral or black and white for endless combinations. Also, this year pairing a black jacket with matching shorts is something to be admired. Personally I am not a fan of shorts and jackets unless you’re tall like a basketball player. Bermudas and hoodies were also big in this collection which sometimes seemed that the guys were all borrowing clothes from one another.

More collections to come!